The Barossa Mag Autumn 2019 | Page 42

42 | T H E B A R O SSA M A G >> Tahnee Koch “We all get along really well, we talk about everything. I think music’s always a good medium to bring people together - it’s always been the glue.” - Pete Koch He’s also transferred his salesman skills and passion for cars to the automotive industry, working for Barossa Valley Toyota where he “pulled in a million dollars” for his new boss in his first six months. “I’m loving it! Selling cars and being with people. I still have a lot of my old customers.” The MG and 1960 Chrysler New Yorker parked in the garage are his pride and joy but it’s the women in his life who receive his utmost love and admiration. “I feel very blessed to have three ladies in the house, it’s good....It comes with its challenges but I hold my own!” he laughs. “We all get along really well, we talk about everything. I think music’s always a good medium to bring people together - it’s always been the glue.” Pete met his wife through music. In fact Cath, now a Student Services Officer at Faith Lutheran College, was his student. “I used to teach her music. The first song I taught her was “Stuck with You” by Huey Lewis and The News!” he laughs. “She’s stuck with me!” The dynamic duo raised their two daughters surrounded by music and now Tahnee, aged 18 and Demi, aged 15 are singing their own musical stories. Just like their father, the sisters thrive in the limelight and are upping the stakes as they rival their dad’s flair for fashion. “Dad loves being the centre of attention - we all do!” says Demi. The Faith Lutheran College student has just returned from a two week theatre camp with a children’s theatre company for young performers. “I played Gretchin in “Mean Girls The Musical”, she says. “I did Cats at School, I was Skimbleshanks, pretty high intensity songs but I don’t mind having the spotlight on me, just like these two!” Along with vocals and dance, Demi learns guitar and clarinet. >> Demi Koch “I’ve also started writing original songs, about my family or other random things! I don’t know if I’d like to pursue something like that one day.” The sisters admit to “a little” sibling rivalry, yet elder sister, Tahnee assures they have never reached the “pulling hair out” point. Singing, piano and dance are Tahnee’s domain. She’s performed in the Cabaret Festival in Adelaide as part of a six month programme when in Year 12. She isn’t surprised she has a love for music, describing her introduction as much the same as her younger sister’s. “I started piano lessons when I was four. As a baby, my feet were getting pushed on the piano. Not that it was drilled into me, but there was always a fascination I guess. At the shop I was sitting in the jolly jumper and surrounded by it so I guess I was intrigued.” The bubbly red head just completed her “gap year” and is now looking forward to her next chapter. “I did a vintage and I went travelling, just took some time off because I worked pretty hard in Year 12,” Tahnee says. “I’m going to uni this year, studying occupational therapy. The big picture is music therapy after that – that’s the goal.” Pete couldn’t be more proud of his “girls” and seeing music continue into the next generation. Always the perfectionist and doing nothing by halves, he happily describes himself as “quirky and a little eccentric”, whether it’s his eclectic taste in music and cars or his wardrobe of sequinned jackets and pointy toed shoes. But behind all the bling and pizazz is a big-hearted husband and father whose mission in life is to share his love of music with family, friends and the wider community, whilst living by the motto he has held throughout life. “Respect the past and be grateful for the past, but always move forwards.”